Horse and carriage simulating riding toy



June 4, 1957 L. J. ARNDT ETAL 2,794,649

HORSE AND CARRIAGE SIMULATING RIDING TOY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 14, 1955 Larry J. Arndf Louie A. Ba/cer IN VENTORS June 4, 1957 L. J. ARNDT ETAL HORSE AND CARRIAGE SIMULATING RIDING TOY Filed NOV. 14, 1955 3 Sh ats-Sheet 2 LarryJ. Arndf Louie A. Ba/cer mmvroas June 4, 1957 L. J. ARNDT ETAL 2,794,649

' HORSE AND CARRIAGE SIMULATING RIDING TOY La rry J. Arndf Louie A. Balcer uvmvrozas m i w United States Patent '0 HORSE AND CARRIAGE SIMULATING RIDING TOY Larry J. Arndt-and Louie A. Balcer, Pierce, Nebr. Application November 14, 1955, Serial No. 546,673 4 Claims. (Cl. 280-1165) This invention generally relates to a toy and more specifically provides a pedal operated toy having a tricycle arrangement of the-driving and steering wheels together with a novel means for steering the steerable wheel and a simulated animal forming a portion of the steering means.

An object of the present invention is to provide a riding toy including a simulated animal on the front portion thereof which moves vertically to simulate the natural action of the animal while the toy is being propelled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a riding toy including a simulated animal positioned forwardly of the operators seat wherein the operator will simulate the actual riding conditions encountered by one riding the animal as to the steering of the animal which results in steering of the toy and natural movement of the animal caused by forward movement of the toy thereby providing a novel and highly desirable toy for children.

Other objects of the present invention will reside in its simplicity of construction, ease of operation, interest holding qualities, its adaptation for its particular purposes and its relatively inexpensive manufacturing and maintenance costs.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the riding toy of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the construction of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 33 of Figure 2 showing an enlarged view of the connecting means for the steering mechanism and the animal reciprocation means; and

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view taken in substantially perpendicular relation to the section of Figure 3 illustrating further structural details of the mounting means for the simulated animal and the steering means for the vehicle.

Referring now specificallyto the drawings, the numeral generally designates the riding toy of the present invention including a supporting frame generally designated by the numeral 12 and including an elongated longitudinal tubular member 14 having a transverse tubular member 18 connected integrally to the lower end thereof wherein the transverse member 18 terminates in depending tubular portions 20.

A transverse axle member 22 is journaled in the lower end of the depending members of the frame 12 and is provided with supporting wheels 24 on the outer ends thereof exteriorly of the depending members 20. Each of the wheels 24 is provided with an axle portion 26 secured to the axle 22 for rotation therewith whereby rotation of the axle 22 will rotate the driving wheels '24. The central portion of the axle 22 is provided with apair of ofiset cranks 28 to which is pivotally connected a pair of connecting rods 30 by clamp sleeves or clamp members 32. The forward end of each of the connecting rods 30 is connected to the lower end of a link 34 by a pivot pin 36. The upperend of each of the links 34 is pivotally connected to the elongated longitudinal tubular member 14 by a transverse pivot pin 38. The lower end of each'of the links 34 is provided with a pedal 40 journaled thereon and extending outwardly therefrom 'for operation by a person positioned on a seat 42 that is disposed in overlying relation between the longitudinal member 14 and the transverse member-18. The seat 42 is provided with an upstanding perpiheral flange 44 across the rear and along two side edges thereof for positioning the person in the seat 42 and the seat 42 is mounted in position by a clamp member 46 of any suitable construction.

The forward end of the tubular longitudinal member 14 is provided with a vertically disposed tubular bearing sleeve 48 rotatably journaling the upper end 50 of an inverted U-shaped yoke or fork 52 which has a transverse axle 54 journaled in the bottom ends thereof for supporting a wheel 56 having a hub 58 secured to the axle 54 whereby the axle '54 will be rotated with the wheel '56. The upper end 50 of the yoke 52 is rotatably received in the sleeve 48 and is provided with an abutment shoulder 60 upon which the bottom end of the sleeve 48 rests. The free end of the upper end of the yoke 52 is provided with a removable collar 62 secured thereto in abutting engagement with the upper end of the sleeve 48 whereby the collar 62 is retained in position by a set screw 64 thereby assuring pivotal movement of the yoke 52 about a vertical axis defined by the tubular sleeve 48 on the front end of the longitudinal tubular member 14.

The upper end 50 of the yoke 52 is provided with a vertically extending socket 66 in the upper end thereof for receiving a depending stud 68 on the bight portion 70 of a U-shaped member generally designated by the numeral 72 which has vertically extending legs 74. The set screw 64 extends through the collar 62 and extends into the socket 66 for securely clamping the depending stud 68 of the U-shaped member 72 onto the upper end 50 of the yoke 52 for movement of the U-shaped member 72 with the yoke 52.

A simulated animal 76 of planar construction is provided with a rear portion 78 and a front portion 80. The animal 76 is in the nature of a horse and the rear portion thereof is provided with a simulated leg 82 having a depending sleeve 83 mounted thereon for slidable engagement with an upstanding stud 86 on the longitudinal member 14. The front section or portion of the horse 76 is provided with a simulated head 84 having a continuous steering line '88 attached thereto with one free end attached to one side of the head 84 and the other free end attached to the other side of the head 84 with the central portion of the steering line 88 being positioned for access by the operator positioned in the seat 82. The bottom end of the front portion 86 of the horse 76 is provided with a bracket 90 having a transverse member 92 with a pair of depending sleeves 94 slidably received on the legs 74 of the U-shaped member 72. The upper end of the rear edge of the front portion 80 is provided with a bracket 96 pivotally receiving a bracket 98 on the forward edge of the rear portion 48 and the lower front edge of the rear portion 78 is provided with a bracket 100 positioned pivotally on an upstanding pin 102 on the transverse member 90 whereby the front portion 80 of the horse may pivot in relation to the rear por- 3 tion 78 about a vertical axis substantially coincidental with the vertical axis of the yoke 52.

The tubular sleeves 94 are each provided with a projecting stud 104 receiving an elongated connecting rod 106 thereover and positioned through the stud 104 is a cotter pin 108. The lower end of each of the connecting rods or links 106 is connected to an olfset end 114} on the axle 54 and retained therein by cotter pins 112 wherein rotation of the wheel 56 and rotation of the axle 54' position so that the steering wheel 56 will be positioned for movement of the riding toy in a straight line.

In operation, a person desiring to operate the riding toy 11 of the present invention is mounted in the seat 42 and by operation of the pedals 40 the vehicle 10 may be moved forwardly substantially in the nature of a tricycle. By pulling on the flexible steering line 88 in the proper manner, the head portion 84 of the horse 76 may be pulled in the proper direction for pivoting the steering Wheel 56 about substantially a vertical axis for guiding the movement of the riding toy 10. When pressure on the steering line 88 is released, the springs 118 will urge the head 84 of the horse 76 to its normal position whereby the riding toy 10 will proceed in a straight line. During forward movement of the riding toy 10, the offset ends 110 on the axle 54 will cause vertical reciprocating movement of the sleeves 83 whereby the movement of the horse will simulate the actual movement of a horse during the forward movement thereof.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed. 7

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A toy riding vehicle comprising a frame, rear supporting wheels journaled on said frame, pedal drive means for said rear wheels, a seat on said frame, a steerable wheel supporting the front of said frame, said steerable Wheel having a yoke supported on the frame for pivotal movement about substantially a vertical axis, a simulated animal connected to the upper end of said yoke, and steering lines extending rearwardly from each side of the forward part of the animal for turning the animal, yoke and wheel about substantially a vertical axis, said steerable wheel including an axle rotatably journaled in the lower end of said yoke, said axle having oifset ends, connecting links between the animal and the olfset ends of the axle for vertical movement ofthe animal when the vehicle moves.

2. A toy riding vehicle comprising a frame, rear supporting wheels journaled on said frame, pedal drive means for said rear wheels, a seat on said frame, a steerable Wheel supporting the front of said frame, said steerable wheel having a yoke supported on the frame for pivotal movement about substantially a vertical axis, a simulated animal connected to the upper end of said yoke, and steering lines extending rearwardly from each side of the forward part of the animal for turning the animal, yoke and wheel about substantially a vertical axis, said steerable wheel including an axle rotatably journaled in the lower end of said yoke, said axle having offset ends, connecting links between the animal and the offset ends of the axle for vertical movement of the animal when the vehicle moves, said animal including a front portion rigidly attached to said yoke, and a rear portion pivotally attached to said front portion and connected to said frame, said steering lines being attached remote from the rear portion, and means interconnecting the front and rear portion for returning the front portion to a normal position.

3. A toy riding vehicle comprising a frame, rear sup; porting wheels journaled on said frame,pedal drive means 5 for said rear wheels, a seat on said frame, a steerable wheel supporting the front of said frame, said steerable wheel having a yoke supported on the frame for pivotal movement about substantially a vertical axis, a simulated animal connected to the upper end of said yoke and steering lines extending rearwardly from each side of the forward part of the animal for turning the animal, yoke and wheel about substantially a vertical axis, said steerable wheel including an axle rotatably journaled in the lower end of said yoke, said axle having oflset ends, connecting links between the animal and the offset ends of the axle for vertical movement of the animal when the vehicle moves, said animal including a front portion rigidly attached to said yoke, and a rear portion pivotally attached to said front portion and connected to said frame, said steering lines being attached remote from the rear portion, and means interconnecting the front and rear portion for returning the front portion to a normal position, said means interconnecting the front and rear portions of the animal including a laterally extending bracket on each side of the rear portion adjacent the pivotal connection between the front and rear portions, a flexible line extending from the outer end of each bracket to a point adjacent the forward end of the front portion of the animal for moving the wheel in response to pivotal movement of the front portion. A, l

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein each of said flexible lines includes a resilient element for returning the front portion to a normal position. 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

